A first book festival for children in Limerick

by Rose Rushe

FOR a first ever book and theatre festival in Limerick for children, Bualadh Bos has knocked the stars out of the skies.
Darren Shan, Andy Stanton, Judi Curtin line up with Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (UL professor in ‘real’ life), Sarah Webb & Oisín McGann and Celine Kiernan to read, listen, respond and of course, sign copies of your favourite books this October.
Architect of the literary side to Bualadh Bos is a children’s author herself, Maeve Tynan. This has given her heightened interest in securing top flight writers for children aged eight years to young adult status and with events taking place during mid term break, October 22 to 31, access is open to all.
€5 individual tickets, with family and school early bird offers from booking manager Lime Tree Theatre’s website.

“The idea is to make Limerick a literary hub with this festival. I’ve always had to travel to other places to meet writers and now we have the big names travelling to Limerick,” Maeve tells Arts page. “One of the key speakers, Darren Shan, really got behind the project and got in touch with his contacts for Bualadh Bos”.

Bear in mind this County Limerick man, now London based, has books translated to 30 languages, has an almighty following and even a film, ‘Cirque du Freak’ made of one of his monster hits. Naturally, he is the Hallowe’en trick on Friday October 31, 2-3.30pm at 69 O’Connell Street.

“We have workshops too, a ‘Writing Children’s Literature’ one for adults and there are two for children”. ‘Puppet and Book-making’ with Beyond the Bark who will stage ‘SPUN’ puppet and animation show also, is on Saturday 25 at Lime Tree Theatre.
The ‘Storytelling Workshop’ for children is with Naomi O’Kelly that afternoon. For more, see www.limetreetheatre.ie